The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Social Security program (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance, or OASDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and provides administrative support to Medicare and several other federal programs. Total SSA spending in FY2007 was about $624 billion, about 99% of which was mandatory spending on benefit payments. This report focuses on SSA’s spending for administrative expenses, which is discretionary and amounts to about 1% of SSA’s total spending. This funding is provided in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

This report provides brief descriptions of the budget volumes and related documents, together with internet addresses Government Printing Office stock number, and prices to obtain the publications for FY 2008.

This report introduces selected basic sources that are useful in obtaining background information or specific facts on the status of federal legislative or regulatory initiatives. It includes telephone, online, and media sources are included, as well as pertinent directories, such as those of organizations that track areas of interest. Annotations describing each source's contents and organization are included so that researchers can select those that most closely fit their needs. Internet addresses usually provide information about the items, rather than access to them.

This report discusses the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision, which reduces Social Security benefits that a person receives as a spouse if he or she also has a government pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security. Its purpose is to replicate Social Security’s “dual entitlement” rule, which requires that a Social Security benefit earned as a worker be subtracted from any Social Security spousal benefit to which the worker is eligible. Its intent is to remove an advantage these workers would otherwise receive if they could receive both a government pension and full Social Security spousal benefits. Opponents contend that the provision is basically inaccurate and often unfair. Five bills have been introduced in the 108th Congress that would modify or repeal the provision.

This report summarizes the information related to China's Currency, Economic issues, and options for the U.S. trade policies

This report reviews trends in mandatory spending since 1962. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline projections of mandatory spending, which extend to 2018, are discussed, as well as extended baseline projections through 2082 used to explore long-term consequences of current budgetary policy. The report examines mandatory spending’s growth relative to total federal spending and to the size of the U.S. economy, and looks at how the composition of mandatory spending has changed over time.

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This report describes the portions of the Bali Action Plan and Decision that relate to forests.

This report shows the funding the George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush Administrations requested for the space shuttle program between FY1992 and FY2002, the funding provided in the House and Senate appropriations bills each year, and the final funding appropriated after the House-Senate conference. It also summarizes the explanations given in report language for congressional changes to the funding requested.

Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to identify water that is impaired by pollution, even after application of pollution controls. For those waters, states must establish a total maximum daily load of pollutants to ensure that water quality standards can be attained. This report contains background information, implementation, and issues for Congress as relating to the Clean Water Act.

This report includes discussion over the debate over government policy regarding industrial competitiveness and technological advancement. Technology and competitiveness, legislative initiatives, and various approaches are among topics discussed in this report.

This report provides Background and Policy Approaches about Excessive CEO Pay where average pay for non-management workers has stagnated after adjustment for inflation, falling slightly since the early 1970's.

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This report provides an analytical summary of the economic lessons reached in support of Congress's role in the trade policy process, especially the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Through mid-Februray 2007, the United States had confirmed three cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (or "Mad Cow Disease"): the first in December 2003 in a Canadian-born cow found in Washington state, the second in June 2005 in cow in Texas, and the third in March 2006 in a cow in Alabama. This report contains information on the general issue, trade restrictions, the livestock 'feed ban', surveillance and testing in cattle, prevention in slaughter and processing, and related issues.

This report briefs the context of India - U.S relations and also discusses its bilateral issues

Concern has grown in Congress and elsewhere about China's military modernization. The topic is an increasing factor in discussions over future required U.S. Navy capabilities. The issue for Congress addressed in this report is: How should China's military modernization be factored into decisions about U.S. Navy programs?

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This report discusses the investigation and aftermath of Columbia after the space shuttle broke apart upon its return to Earth. Updated February 13, 2003.

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